New Haven Man Convicted Of Murder In Fatal Shooting In Woodbridge

NEW HAVEN, CT — A man accused of fatally shooting a West Haven man at a playground in Woodbridge in 2021 has been convicted of murder, according to officials.

Rickey Traynham, of New Haven, was found guilty by a jury of murder, felony murder, first-degree robbery, and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery. The jury trial concluded Tuesday at New Haven Superior Court.

In a separate proceeding, Traynham was also found guilty of criminal possession of a firearm and possession of a pistol without a permit.

According to prosecutors, Traynham shot the victim, Rondell Atkinson, of West Haven, multiple times during a robbery at the Pease Road Playground in Woodbridge on June 7, 2021. Traynham then took off in his car, leaving the victim to die in the parking lot, according to authorities.

A jogger found Atkinson’s body the next day. Traynham was implicated in the homicide when codefendant Jorden Rudel confessed his involvement in the robbery to family members who testified at the trial, according to officials.